Australia’s peak body for emergency medicine urged people to drink more responsibly by knowing their limits. Although the call came over the Christmas holidays, it’s a message that stands all year through.

A new survey of 100 emergency departments across the country at 2am Sunday, December 16 found that 1 in 7 patients had alcohol-related presentations. Thirty hospitals reported 1 in 5 patients had alcohol-related presentations. The survey included 2650 patients across the country.

Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) President Dr Simon Judkins said alcohol harm is the greatest, preventable public health issue facing emergency department doctors and staff.

WA had the highest number of alcohol related hospital presentations with 17.9 per cent followed by The ACT/NT and Tasmania with 13.3 per cent of presentations a result of alcohol, followed closely by Queensland at 13.2 per cent.